Belt

ABSTRACT

A belt in the form of an elongated substantially flattened transparent tubular casing having a filling opening therein adapted for use in the placing of colored water thereinto, the ends of the casing being secured to belt tongue and buckle end sections respectively for securing the belt for the girth of the wearer, the color of the water in the belt being changeable so as to blend with or otherwise complement the clothes of the wearer.

United States Patent 1191 Mack et al. Oct. 15, 1974 154] BELT 2,544,381 3/1951 Goldmerstein 2 30ox 3,075,517 1/1963 Morehead 128/384 x [76] Inventors: Gary Lee Mack 808 Sunnse 3,774,617 11/1973 Lisle 128/403 David Carlton Casderbera Hartful, 603 Johnson St., both of Murfressboro, Tenn. 37130 Filed: Jan. 21, 1974 Appl. No.: 435,031

US. Cl 2/338, 128/384, 2/322, A4lf/l5/00 Int. Cl. A4lf 3/02 Field of Search 128/402, 384, 385; 2/300, 2/322, 311, 338

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 10/1890 Reach 2/338 X Primary ExaminerGeo. V. Larkin 5 7 ABSTRACT A belt in the form of an elongated substantially flattened transparent tubular casing having a filling opening therein adapted for use in the placing of colored water thereinto, the ends of the casing being secured to belt tongue and buckle end sections respectively for securing the belt for the girth of the wearer, the color of the water in the belt being changeable so as to blend with or otherwise complement the clothes of the wearer.

7 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures BELT BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates generally to belts and more particularly to a novel and improved belt intended for use by wearers and permitting the ease of changing of the coloring of the belt as well as applying novelty effects in the belt by the wearer.

2. Description of the Prior Art It has been known in the prior art to provide belts of various types, sizes and configurations intended to be worn about the girth of the wearer, with there being little changes in such belts until the development of the present invention as to a novelty effect intended to complement the type of clothes popular among individuals in the country today.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a novel belt structure employing a hollow elongated transparent tubing like structure into which water maybe placed with the water then being colored to the desires of the wearer, with the color of the water being readily changed or the water itself being drained from the belt and fresh water inserted thereinto in order that a wide variety of colors and decorative effects may be achieved.

Among the features and advantages of the present invention is the provision of a belt which is relatively simple in its construction and which therefore may be readily manufactured at a relatively low cost and by simple manufacturing methods; one which is possessed of few parts and therefore is unlikely to get out of order; one which is of a rugged and durable construction; one which is aesthetically pleasing and refined in appearance; one which is easy to use and reliable and efficient in operation; one which may be retailed at a sufficiently low price to encourage its widespread purchase and use; and one which is otherwise well adapted to perform the services required of it.

Other features and advantages of this invention will be apparent during the course of the following descriptron.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, and in which like reference characters are employed to designate like parts throughoutthe same:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the belt of the present invention; 1 3

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary front elevational view of the belt;

FIG. 3 is a crosssectional view taken along Line 3-3 of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along Line 4-4 of FIG. 2.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawings in detail there is illustrated a preferred form of a belt constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention and designated generally in its entirety by the reference nu meral and which is comprised of a tubular casing 11, a belt tongue member 12, and a belt buckle member 2 13. The belt 10 is flexible and is of a length fitted to the girth of the wearer as is well known in the art.

The tubular casing 11 is of an elongated hollow rectangular box-like configuration having a body member 21 and an interior compartment 22 with the opposite ends 23 and 24 of the casing being heat sealed to completely close the compartment 22. The casing is preferably manufactured out of transparent vinyl or plastic material having a width of approximately 1 /2 to 2 inches so as to be comfortably applied about the waist or girth of the wearer, with the thickness of the casing being relatively small and may be of the order of from a quarter-inch to about three-quarters of an inch. There is provided in a top edge of the casing adjacent end 23 thereof a threaded aperture 26 which is in communication with compartment 22 and which permits for the insertion of water 27 into the compartment or the draining of such water from the compartment as well as providing for the insertion of any water or food coloring product into the water 27 for the coloring of the same. The aperture 26 is closed in a water tight manner by a screw-in cap 30 having a threaded shank 31 which is threadedly received in the aperture and having an enlarged circular head portion 32 which engages the top edge of the casing when the cap is in position thereon in a manner to prevent leakage of water 27 from the casing compartment 22.

For use with casing 11 there are provided a pair of rectangular frame loop members 41 and .42 with member 41 having side edges 43 and 44 and with member 42 having side edges 45 and 46. The end 23 of casing 11 is folded over onto itself about side edge 43of loop member 41 and is then heat sealed to secure the same permanently in position. Similarly, the end 24 of casing .11 isfolded over onto-itself about side edge 45 of loop member 42 and is'then heat sealed onto itself to retain the loop permanently affixed thereto.

The tongue member 12 is formed of a substantially flat elongated rectangularly shaped strap 51 having tip portion 52 and back end edge 53 with the back end edge being folded over onto itself about side edge 46 of loop 42 and then affixed permanently in position by a pair of rivets 54 passed therethrough with the tip 52 projecting longitudinally outwardly from theend portion 24 of casing 11. The tongue body member 51 has formed integrally therein a plurality of longitudinally spaced apart openings 55. The tongue member 12 is preferably manufactured of leather or plastic material.

The buckle member 13 iscomprised of a body member 61 which is of a substantiallyflat elongated rectangularly shaped material having a forward end 62 and a back end 63, the back end being folded over onto itself about side edge 44 of loop 41 and then affixed to itself by means of rivit 64 passed therethrough. The outer end 62 terminates in a buckle 65 provided with a medially located transversely extending cross bar 66 onto which a tongue element 67 is hingedly connected at one end thereof with the opposite free end of the tongue element adapted to project through registering openings 55 of tongue member 51 when the belt 10 is wrapped about the waist of the wearer so as to secure the belt about the waist.

In operation, an individual places water 27 intocompartment 22 and then adds any variety of coloring elements to the water such that the water takes on the color desired by the individual to provide an attractive and novel belt. Should the individual wish to change the color thereof, they may insert additional coloring elements through the opening 26, ,or alternatively, they may remove cap 30 from opening 26 and invert the belt to drain water 27 from compartment 22, after which they may insert into the compartment fresh water and color the same anew.

It is to be understood that the form of this invention herewith shown and described is to be taken as a preferred example of the same, and that this invention is not to be limited to the exact arrangement of parts shown. in the accompanying drawings or described in this specification as various changes in the details of construction as to shape, size, and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention, the scope of the novel concepts thereof, or the scope of the sub-joined claims.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed 1. A belt adapted to be worn about the waist of the wearer comprising an elongated tubular casing of transparent flexible material defining an interior compartment therein, said casing being of an elongated substantially rectangular box-like configuration, a "first loop member affixed to one end of said casing and comprised of a rectangular frame having an inner side edge and an outer side edge, said first end of said casing being folded about said inner side edge of said first loop member in a manner folded over onto itself and then suitably fastened to itself to retain said first loop member affixed to said casing, said second end of said casing beingwrapped about said inner side-edge of said second loop member in a manner folded onto itself and then suitably fastened to itself to retain said second loop member affixed to said casing, a tongue member affixed to said first loop member and projecting outwardly therefrom and being formed of flexible material, a buckle member affixed to said second loopmemberand projecting outwardly therefrom and being formed of flexible material, a threaded aperture provided in a top edge of said casing and communicating with said compartment formed interiorly thereof to provide access thereto, a cap member associated with said aperture comprising an enlarged head portion and a concentrically disposed outwardly projecting threaded shaft portion, said shaft portion adapted to be threadedly engaged in said threaded aperture to seal said compartment in a water tight manner, and said compartment adapted to container water therein.

2. The belt as set forth in claim 1 wherein said tongue member is comprised of a substantially flat elongated rectangularly shaped flexible body member having a tip end and a back end, said back end being folded onto itself about said outer side edge of said first loop member and affixed to itself by rivets and the like to retain said tongue member affixed to said first loop member, said tongue body member having a plurality of longitudinally spaced apart openings extending therethrough.

3. The belt as set forth in claim 2 wherein said buckle member is comprised of a substantially flat elongated rectangularly shaped flexible strap member having a buckle end and a back end, said back end being folded onto itself about said outer side edge of said second loop member and affixed to itself by rivets and the like to retain said buckle member affixed to said second loop member, said buckle end of said strap affixed to a buckle, said buckle having a tongue member hingedly connected thereto at one end thereof with the free end of said tongue element adapted to be placed in registration with one of said openings in said tongue member to retain said beltabout the waist of the wearer.

4. The belt as set forth in claim 3iwherein said casing is manufactured of a transparent vinyl material.

5. The belt as set forth in claim 3 wherein said casing is manufactured ofa transparent plastic material.

6. The belt as set forth in claim 5 wherein said tongue member and saidbuckle member are manufactured of a flexible plastic material.

7. The belt as set forth in claim 5 wherein said tongue member and said buckle member are manufactured of a flexible leather material. 

1. A belt adapted to be worn about the waist of the wearer comprising an elongated tubular casing of transparent flexible material defining an interior compartment therein, said casing being of an elongated substantially rectangular box-like configuration, a first loop member affixed to one end of said casing and comprised of a rectangular frame having an inner side edge and an outer side edge, said first end of said casing being folded about said inner side edge of said first loop member in a manner folded over onto itself and then suitably fastened to itself to retain said first loop member affixed to said casing, said second end of said casing being wrapped about said inner side edge of said second loop member in a manner folded onto itself and then suitably fastened to itself to retain said second loop member affixed to said casing, a tongue member affixed to said first loop member and projecting outwardly therefrom and being formed of flexible material, a buckle member affixed to said second loop member and projecting outwardly therefrom and being formed of flexible material, a threaded aperture provided in a top edge of said casing and communicating with said compartment formed interiorly thereof to provide access thereto, a cap member associated with said aperture comprising an enlarged head portion and a concentrically disposed outwardly projecting threaded shaft portion, said shaft portion adapted to be threadedly engaged in said threaded aperture to seal said compartment in a water tight manner, and said compartment adapted to container water therein.
 2. The belt as set forth in claim 1 wherein said tongue member is comprised of a substantially flat elongated rectangularly shaped flexible body member having a tip end and a back end, said back end being folded onto itself about said outer side edge of said first loop member and affixed to itself by rivets and the like to retain said tongue member affixed to said first loop member, said tongue body member having a plurality of longitudinally spaced apart openings extending therethrough.
 3. The belt as set forth in claim 2 wherein said buckle member is comprised of a substantially flat elongated rectangularly shaped flexible strap member having a buckle end and a back end, said back end being folded onto itself about said outer side edge of said second loop member and affixed to itself by rivets and the like to retain said buckle member affixed to said second loop member, said buckle end of said strap affixed to a buckle, said buckle having a tongue member hingedly connected thereto at one end thereof with the free end of said tongue element adapted to be placed in registration with one of said openings in said tongue member to retain said belt about the waist of the wearer.
 4. The belt as set forth in claim 3 wherein said casing is manufactured of a transparent vinyl material.
 5. The belt as set forth in claim 3 wherein said casing is manufactured of a transparent plastic material.
 6. The belt as set forth in claim 5 wherein said tongue member and said buckle member are manufactured of a flexible plastic material.
 7. The belt as set forth in claim 5 wherein said tongue member and said buckle member are manufactured of a flexible leather material. 